17th October - high cloud again, sun very occasionally peeked through, 12C, light NE breeze

A Raven moved low over the village to the fields to the north, frequently calling, just after mid-day.

The day seemed to get duller and cooler with the NE wind picking up a little more.  I thought an afternoon visit to Shawell lagoons may be a good idea for Gulls and other water birds.  As it happened numbers of these were lower than expected, but reading colour rings on the Gulls is always interesting.  Carl was there, he is a very good on Gull identification and had already read some rings.  One Black-headed Gull, which has been seen here before, had been ringed in Poland where it was breeding.  The other ring numbers have to submitted to find out their owners wanderings.

Great-black Backed, Lesser-black Backed, Herring, Common, Yellow-legged and Black-headed Gulls were all present today.

Other birds around included a dozen Wigeon, Tufted Ducks, only two Mallard, two Little Grebes, two Mute Swans.  About 30 Lapwings rested on the shore, a Grey Wagtail flew around and the ever present Buzzards often flew over or spied for food from the fence posts.

Back at the village another flock of Redwings flew over, hesitated lover the tree tops but decided not to land and continued westward.  Two Mistle Thrushes were feeding in the Holly tree, eating the berries.

At this time of year and the next couple of months berries and fruit are a major source of food for many birds and other animals.  Fortunately this year the hedges and trees are well laden, as illustrated by the Holly bush below and should get winter off to a good start.